CBSE Clarifies No Change to Class 10 Passing Marks

Students appearing for the Class 10 board examinations will continue to need an overall score of 33 percent to clear a subject, as the Central Board of Secondary Education has confirmed that its passing criteria remain unchanged for the academic year 2026-27.

Official Clarification

The board issued this confirmation after a recent curriculum circular caused confusion among schools, teachers, and parents. The initial circular stated that students must secure 33 percent separately in both internal and external assessments. However, following queries raised during a CBSE webinar by a teacher from a private school in Sonipat, Haryana, board officials explained that the rule requiring separate passing marks has been withdrawn.

Assessment Structure

The standard assessment pattern for Class 10 consists of an 80-mark external examination and a 20-mark internal assessment. Students must appear in both components, and their final results will be calculated using the combined total of these two scores. The board also stated that it will issue Sample Question Papers and Marking Schemes to help schools maintain uniformity and guide classroom teaching.

Context

Educational boards regularly publish sample papers and guidelines ahead of the academic session to help students understand exam formats and question paper design. Such clarifications are often issued when initial circulars or curriculum documents create unintended confusion among affiliated schools and students preparing for board exams.